Rand report signals threat to patient privacy

To my knowledge, no medical information is being drawn from health information systems for this purpose yet. But given the recent concern about potentially dangerous patients during the debate about gun legislation, it’s not too much of a stretch to speculate that eventually some agency might wish to bypass the clinician entirely and draw certain risk-associated data directly from a health information system. The Rand report concluded that such information fusion is "likely essential for success" in the prevention of terrorism.

As hospitals, clinics, and the public mental health system move to integrate their information systems, privacy protections might need to include more than protection from unauthorized access by employees.

Dr. Hanson is a forensic psychiatrist and coauthor of "Shrink Rap: Three Psychiatrists Explain Their Work." The opinions expressed are those of the author only and do not represent those of any of Dr. Hanson’s employers or consultees, including the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene or the Maryland Division of Correction.